Philadelphia Union Academy players Abdoulaye Diop and Sammy Gallego have been named to the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate.
This marks the fourth time the Union Academy has had multiple players selected for the MLS NEXT All-Star Game. Diop and Gallego join a growing list of Union representatives at the event, which includes Malik Jakupovic (2025), Cavan Sullivan (2024), Neil Pierre (2023), and Andrew Rick (2022).
Diop is coming off an incredible standout season with the Philadelphia Union Academy. In 40 academy appearances, he scored six goals, added two assists and recorded five secondary assists. Diop was also part of the Union U-15s squad that won MLS NEXT Cup last year. In May, he was named to the Generation adidas Cup Rising XI and the U-16 Best XI for the GA Cup. For his efforts, Dio made his MLS NEXT Pro debut with Philadelphia Union II on May 13th against New England Revolution II.
Gallego too had a strong campaign in MLS NEXT with the Philadelphia Union Academy. Across 37 academy appearances, he scored nine goals, provided 10 assists and added nine secondary assists. Gallego was also a key member of last year’s Union U-15s team that won MLS NEXT Cup, where he was named Finals MVP.
The duo are among 44 of the top MLS NEXT players selected to participate in the East vs. West showdown, which showcases North America's top young players. To be eligible for selection, players must have been born between 2009-11 and have competed in either the MLS NEXT regular season or in at least one of MLS NEXT’s premier events – MLS NEXT Fest, MLS NEXT Flex presented by Allstate, Generation adidas Cup, or MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
